Board of Directors

Bruce is an organizational psychologist and executive coach who has worked with client companies and leaders to improve performance and impact. He earned a PhD in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Minnesota and worked as a consultant and business leader with Fortune 500, public sector, and non-profit organizations for over 30 years. For Napa RCD, Bruce has chaired the Governance subcommittee and was elected in 2022 as President of the Board. Given the environmental challenges in Napa County and Napa RCD’s strong capabilities, Bruce is committed to advancing Napa RCD’s role in forest health, watershed restoration, regenerative agriculture and community-based environmental education.

With over 16 years of experience in environmental regulation at the Solano County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, Andrina combines expertise in both environmental policy and public service. She holds an M.S. in Public Administration from Golden Gate University and a B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology from UC Berkeley, which equips her to effectively navigate the intersection of policy, regulation, and the environment. Passionate to bridge policy with sustainable agricultural practices, Andrina strives to support land stewardship that benefits both people and the environment. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, dancing, and playing golf.

Balkis is the Estate Director at Ink Grade Estate. A rich tapestry of over 23 years in hospitality Balkis passionately works to create extraordinary experiences for her guests. Her Jamaican upbringing informs her passion for nature and a sense of community responsibility towards conservation. She has a passion for fundraising and strives to utilize her skills to support the conversation of climate change and the impact it has on our community.

With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit work and business development consulting, Ernie is a seasoned community organizer. Born and raised in San Francisco, Ernie moved to Napa permanently in 2006 and focused his efforts into preserving Napa’s architectural heritage, including landscapes in the area. He has a big respect for forest and watershed health. After retirement, he continued to advise the work of several nonprofits with special attention to community impacts and engagement. On his off time, Ernie enjoys participating in Napa and St. Helena’s bocce ball leagues.

Joseph is a Sonoma native and has been a Napa resident for 10 years. Outside of work, Joseph is interested in residential water and energy efficiency, drought tolerant landscaping, suburban permaculture, & suburban bee-keeping. In particular, Joseph would like to assist in education, training and transformation projects that bring greater conservation focus to residential homes in Napa. Joseph also enjoys snowboarding, running, cycling, and fly-fishing.

Lauren is a tenured Professor of Psychology at Napa Valley College. Her passion for conservation began when she moved to California and was moved by the majesty of the region’s trees. She obtained her PhD in Psychology at UC, Santa Barbara, where she conducted empirical research on the social psychology of close relationships. At Napa Valley College, Lauren supports students pursuing research and internship opportunities in STEM. She is committed to connecting the Napa RCD and Napa Valley College in an effort to build career pathways for students interested in conservation and environmental science.